Cream of Tomato Soup...

There is one comfort food we turn to when the weather turns colder and wetter like it has been lately. A delicious bowl of tomato soup, not only warms and comforts us, often it reminds us of simpler times in our past.

This old favorite recipe of mine is quick and easy. It does not call for fresh tomatoes but if you have them, use them. This recipe uses tomato puree because during the winter months it’s hard to find good fresh tomatoes.



Cream of Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
3 sweet onions, finely chopped
Vegetable oil for sautéing onions
¼ cup sugar
4½ cups tomato puree
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon Allspice
1-2 Bay leaves
Salt and Pepper to Taste
1½ - 2 cups of half and half cream, scalded

3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped for garnish

In a Dutch oven type pot, sauté onions in a little vegetable oil, add sugar and cook until the onions are caramelized or light golden in color. Then add remaining ingredients except cream; stir mixture well and simmer for about 30 minutes.

In a small sauce pan, heat half & half until hot, but not boiling. Gradually add cream to the tomato mixture and stir. Heat but do not bring to a boil after adding the cream.

Float chopped basil on top and serve

Serves 6

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George’s notes:

• The canned condensed version of the soup is one of the leading styles in the U.S. and is most associated with the Campbell Soup Company.

• Campbell Soup’s slogan ~ "M'm! M'm! Good! M'm! M'm! Good!, That's what Campbell's soups are, M'm! M'm! Good!" is one of the most recognizable slogans in advertising history.

• Many toppings can also be used on tomato soup, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, crackers or salsa.